Strengthening emotional and social skills in art lessons for students with intellectual disabilities

The process of acquiring and effectively applying knowledge, attitudes and skills through social and emotional learning is important in recognizing and managing emotions. In the Master’s thesis, we were interested in how directed art activities help strengthen social and emotional skills, while acquiring the learning goals of the current curriculum for art education in a group of students with intellectual disabilities. Over a period of three months, five male students, aged 14 to 21, attending the 4th and 5th level of special education program and their art teacher were included in the research. Using the method of semi-structured interviews and meeting diaries, we monitored the activities and development of the social and emotional skills of the students in art education classes, as well as the teacher’s reflection and observation of feelings, desires and the strengthening of emotional and social skills within the working (pedagogical) and personal environment. The visual diary was intended for the reflection and self-reflection of the teacher and the evaluation of the process of strengthening social and emotional skills. The research showed that when students are guided through the activities and asked additional questions, they mostly recognize the fundamental characteristics regarding the activities within the content of strengthening emotional and social skills, to which they respond meaningfully with the help of an adult. The activities hold a potential for strengthening social and emotional skills, however, we cannot claim that the students have internalized them. Through the creative process and guiding the activities, the art teacher gained skills that benefit her in better understanding herself and others. Furthermore, the activities offered her an insight into implementing certain contents into the art education classes that support students’ social and emotional development. The research confirmed the significance of teacher refreshing their previously acquired knowledge and skills, along with professional development, supervision and taking care of their psychophysical activity, for example in the form of sports activities